I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12.1-3
I have shared more than once than I am a methodical worker/thinker. Give me the supplies and the directions and I will at least give it a good try. Like building IKEA furniture. When it comes to food prep, I rarely just wing a multiple ingredient concoction. I follow a recipe closely (except, of course, for almost always leaving out the onions and mushrooms and coriander and kale and … pretty much always doubling the cinnamon). I admit to being selective in some of my ingredient usage.
I have, however, learned that I must not apply such selective import to Scripture. While our recent study of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans has been college course level doctrine, I have resisted the temptation to jump ahead from Romans chapter 8 to Romans chapter 12. But we have now arrived at Paul’s action plan, about how to live in a way that pleases God. So with at least a little more/newly gained understanding of the gravity and rich blessing of the mystery of salvation, here we go.
As we began to read Romans chapter 12 on Sunday, we were given this title Paul launches the practical part of his letter to the Roman believers. I appreciate the word practical. It sounds no-nonsense, useful, directional. I like arrow-worthy words … go here, do this. So the list starts with presenting myself as a living sacrifice to God. Next is not conforming to the world and instead being transformed by renewing my mind.
Easy peasy, right? No, not even a little bit. Not doable without the Holy Spirit’s equipping. It’s about setting aside the appeal of the culture (the parts you are partial to) and the constant distraction of the everywhere noise. Commit to consider your day in terms of presenting yourself to God as His worker for the kingdom – within your home, your neighborhood and extended family, your workplace or school, even in your car – with your actions, your reactions, AND your words. This deflates the self-righteous retort or the lofty self-opinion I regularly carry around in my word and thought arsenal.
I am, every time, humbled to read the admonition to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. It is not what is all around me that should be the catalyst for transformation, but the love and grace and mercy found in the thoroughly true words of our faithful God, which He is writing upon my heart! This is what strengthens, invigorates, and equips us to be the feet-on-the-ground workers, carriers of the gospel message, wherever God has planted us in the season.
I would suggest to you that transformation continues with reflection and ongoing re-commitment to seek the Lord’s work in your thoughts and words and actions.
Sunday’s list of 30 signs you may be thinking more highly of yourself than you ought drew some laughs to be sure, but if you heard it (or read through it), I suspect your heart was pricked. There is work to be done. Practical work, good but hard work. Re-read the list and then, this week, pray over it inviting God to continue His work in you because He who began a good work is faithful to complete it. He promises!
CLICK HERE FOR THE 30 SIGNS MESSAGE
Blessings, Colleen